Janis Ian - Society's Child

Ian's first release tells the sad tale of a young, interracial couple who must face the ridicule and hostility of society; very controversial subject matter in the 60's!

Lyrics:

Come to my door, baby,
Face is clean and shining black as night.
My mother went to answer you know
That you looked so fine.
Now I could understand your tears and your shame,
She called you "boy" instead of your name.
When she wouldn't let you inside,
When she turned and said
"But honey, he's not our kind."
She says
I can't see you any more, baby,
Can't see you anymore.
Walk me down to school, baby,
Everybody's acting deaf and blind.
Until they turn and say, "Why don't you stick to your own kind."
My teachers all laugh, the smirking stares,
Cutting deep down in our affairs.
Preachers of equality,
Think they believe it, then why won't they just let us be?
They say I can't see you anymore baby,
Can't see you anymore.
One of these days I'm gonna stop my listening
Gonna raise my head up high.
One of these days I'm gonna raise up my glistening wings and fly.
But that day will have to wait for a while.
Baby I'm only society's child.
When we're older things may change,
But for now this is the way, they must remain.
I say I can't see you anymore baby,
Can't see you anymore.
No, I don't want to see you anymore, baby.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Janis
• Ian
• Society's
• Child
• 1965
• Black
• White
• Interracial
• Teenager
• Folk
• Rock
• 60's
• Controversial
• Sad
• Young
• Mother

[VABkWrm]

If you are ever able to hear any of her interviews about the uproar this song caused, and what she endured for writing, recording and performing it...whew! Really inspiring!

[Rustydymon]

I used play this song over and over and over again back in the day. Still stirs my heart when I hear it.

[Texfield91]

It's about a forbidden interracial realtionship

[ABDULRHMAN]

We are studing it right now in the university . for me i didn't like the song ^^" . but the subject i think it's was important for Americans so i can understand that .

[bendemmusic1]

I had the previlage to work with Jimmi Miller (producer) on my project an we talked on Janis and how he got her produced ...Excelant artist and tune ...Great message........

[Condestruction]

@brainsareus

I agree. The term and perception of "race" is a social construct. To be quite specific, it is not even a scientifically accepted classification among humans; It hasn't been for a very long time ('no taxonomic significance'). There is only a single race, the human race.

It is a shame that many people are still ignorant of that fact! Much like the narrator's mother and peers in this song.

[FLSHBK1]

@kenhamlett1 How do you figure I have a problem with her heritage??? I was responding to others who asserted her song referred to her "lesbianism" or to her "interracial parents", neither of which is true. "SADLY", you seem to have a problem with Reading Comprehension. And BTW, I've been listening to the song since 1965, thank you very much. Perhaps you should kiss off.

[kenhamlett1]

@FLSHBK1 I grew up in the rural midwest. I can assure you that radio stations in my region would not touch the record. I heard it only on stations in Chicago and New York. You seem, sadly, to have a problem with Ms. Ian's ethnic heritage. Perhaps you should go back and listen to the song a few more times. She is a wonderful teacher.

[kenhamlett1]

@FLSHBK1 So? That does not change the message or the power of the song.

[ncchestnut]

It's very hard to be married to the same color and even if you both believe in God Who created the heavens and the earth and all thay is in the of the own kind not alone being married totaly out of you relam, you people need to get real and try being married most of you have not been there or you would know and not be writing such stupid comments like I see here. joe

[FLSHBK1]

@brainsareus OK, thnx.

[brainsareus]

@FLSHBK1 very sad,either way, right,that race is so contentious. she's a gorgeous soul,and i love her. i'm a dude, and for those that don't know, she's gay,and bless her,because she is an artist. btw,FLSHBK,i know much of her back story. i know you can't know what i know or don't know,so thank you for putting that out there. i'd just be wary, of calling people 100% anything,because the notion of ethnic purity, is neither realistic nor desirable. have a great new year,be well.